Rock drilling apparatus



J. C. CURTIS ROCK DRILLING APPARATUS oct. 21, 1952 Filed oct.l 21, 1947v 4 shees-shee1 2 Oct. 21, 1952 i 1 C CUR-|15` 2,614,807

ROCK DRILLING APPARATUS Filed oct. 21, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 21, 1952 J. c. cuR'rls 2,614,807

Rocx DRILLING APPARATUS [zzwzzm M5222@ 6a M1219.

Patented Oct. 21, 1952 noon DRILLING APPARATUS .lohn C. Curtis, Claremont,` N. H., assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 2l, 1947, Serial No. 781,149

This invention relates to rock drilling apparatus and more particularly to an improved adjustable supporting structure for hammer rock drills 7 Claims. (Cl. Z55-m51) `ing ,tool may be easily and quickly. adjusted whereby the drilling tools may be supported in Y various positions with respect to the work.

In portable rock drilling apparatus especially designed for use in underground mines `or tunnels, one or more drill mountings, such as swiveled drill jibs or booms, are mounted on a portable base and carry a drilling tool or tools for adjustment laterally and in vertical planes relative to the base, thereby to support the drilling tool or tools to drill holes at various locations with respect to the working face. Such known types of drilling apparatus, however, either have a relatively limited range of adjustment in vertical planes or have vertical guide frames of relatively great height which prevent ready transport of the apparatus through the relatively restricted spaces and sharply curved passageways such as are enings for adjusting the latter through a relatively wide range from a relatively low position near the top of the base to a relatively high position a substantial distance above the top of the base and so arranged and constructed that it may be collapsed into a relatively compact lowered position at the top of the base so that transport of the apparatus in underground mines or tunnels is facilitated. The present invention not only provides an elevating structure which has a relatively wide range of adjustment in vertical planes but which also embodies parallel motion arms or links Vfor maintaining the support for the swiveled drill mountings in a substantially horizontal position irrespective of the elevation thereof, thereby `to maintain the swivel axes of the drill mountings always substantially vertical.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved rock drilling apparatus. Another object is to provide an improved adjustable supporting structure for hammer rock drills. A further 0bject is to provide an improved adjustable supporting structure for an adjustable drill mounting such as a swivelled drill jib whereby the drill jib may be supported in various elevated positions with respect to the work. Yet another object is `to provide an improved rock drill supporting structure having a relatively wide range of vertical adjustment. A still further object is to provide an improved hydraulically operated supporting structure for a rock drill whereby the drillthrough `a relatively wide range. Another object is to provide an improved drill supporting structure of the parallel arm or *link type whereby a drilling tool may be elevated through a relatively `wide range while the same is maintained in a horizontal drilling position. A still further object is to provide an improved parallel motion supporting structure for a swiveled rock drilljib whereby the swivel axis of the drill jib is always maintained vertical irrespective of the elevated position thereof. Another object to provide an improved hydraulically operated elevating mechanism for a rock drill. Yet anotherobjectis to provide `an improved rock drilling apparatus: having a novel arrangement and combination of parts. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is for purposes of illustration one form which `th invention may assume in practice. l

in these drawings: i i

Fig. l is a top plan view of a rock drilling apparatus constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. ,i

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of thedrillin apparatus shown in Fig. l, with the drilling tools in a lowered position.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational ,View showing the drilling tools in elevated positions, with one jib swung downwardly.

Figs. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views taken respectively on lines 4 4 and 5-5 of Fig. 3, showing details of the slidable platforms and the front upper arm pivot. i Y,

Figs. 6 and 'l are enlarged detail sectional views taken respectively on lines 6 6 and 'l-l of Fig. 3, and illustrating the pivot constructions.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view showing the lower parallel arms of the adjustable supporting structure in elevated position.

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 8, with the upper parallel arms of the supporting structure` in elevated position. j

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially on line lill 0 of Fig. 8, showing details of one of the telescopic jacks. i

shown ratus, generally designated I, is of the track wheel mounted type adapted to travel along a trackway, and includes an adjustable supporting structure 2 for a pair of adjustable drill mountings, herein a pair of swiveled drill jibs 3, 3 which support a pair of hammer drilling tools l, 4. It Will be evident, however, that thedrilling apparatus may be' mounted in other manners-and may include only one or several drill mountings or jibs.

The rock drilling apparatus, as shown herein, comprises a truck frame 5 mounted on track Wheels 6, 6 adapted to travel along a trackway l'. Carried by the truck framejs aV motor 8 driving a pump 9 for a purpose to be'later explained. Pivotally mounted at I0, I0 at the sides of the truck frame are pairs of parallel lower'supporting arms' parallel motion-structure, the swivel axes of the di'llljibs are always-maintained vertical regardlessof the elevated `position of the j ibs.

In'v thisimprovedconstruction, the lower supportingj armsL II, IIJ are pivotallymounted, as

shownzinFig: 6i on horizontal bolts I'I passing through' openings in vertical side plates I8 of the truckframe, and sur-rounding these bolts andextending 'between'- the iinner sides of the side plates are spacing sleeves I8. Threaded atA If-Ql at the outerends-of` thebolts are tightening nuts 2t. 'I'lie` pivotsk I2; I2 between-the=upper and-lower supporting arms-includeb'olts-ZI surrounded by spacing sleeves 22 extending betweenthe inner 'sidesof'fthe arms,` andthreaded at 2.3'at the cuter 'ends offtheboltsareAtightening-'nutslZl as shown in Fig. '7. Asshown in Fig. 10,- the pivots I5, l5

at the' upper ends of; the upper arms I3 include bolts-25passing through openingsinside frames 26 of the platform I6, and surrounding these bolts andE extending# between' the' inner sides of the platformare spacing sleeves 21T; Tightening nuts 28 are threaded at 29 at the'ends of` the bolts. Tlienut'sof thevboltsof the severalpivots, when tightened, serve to-clamp the armsandassociated part's'rir'gidly in adjusted position in a manner ynecessary in a hammer drilling apparatus whereinconsiderable vibration is set up within the apparatus" during thew drilling operation. Pivotally mounteda-t" 3'Il'onthe truck frame just' rearwardlyof therear Wheelaxes are telescopic hydraulic jacksSI; 3l, each comprising telescopic jack sections 32, 33, 34 comprising cylinder and piston rod portions, withi the cylinders thereof carrying suitable packings to. prevent leakage. The outer piston rod 35 is pivotally connected at 33` to the yfor-ward'bolt-2L inthermanner shown in Fig. '7.

Pvotally mountedat 3'Ion-a spacingy sleeve surrounding a cross boltconnected to the side links I4 are` telescopic hydraulic jacks 38?. each coinprisin'gazseries of'jacksectionstdll, 4I including cylinder andpiston-rodportions, with the cylinders thereof carrying.: suitable packings to prevent leakage. The upper piston rod 42 is pivotally connected at. 43, asshown in' Fig. 10, on

- therearspacingsleeve 21.

The drill mountings or jibs 3, 3 mounted on the horizontal platform IE may be of the hydraulically operated type similar to those disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 563,579, led November l5, 1944, now matured into Patent No. 2,500,931, granted on March 21, 1950, and includes frames d swiveled on parallel upright axes 45.- and having pivotally mounted thereon jibs or booms 431 Pivotally mounted at M at the outer ends of the jibs are supports 43 carrying clamps 49 to which guide frames 5I! are secured. The drilling tools l are slidably guided on these guide frames and may be fed back and forth relative therctoby suitable motors 5 I. Hy-

` draulic jacks 52"' are pivotally connected to the svvvele'd' frames and to the lower sides of the jibs for: swinging` the jibs. in a vertical direction about their pivots. Suitable hand operated pumps 53 mounted on the swiveled frame serve to supply liquid under pressure to these jacks. As these drill jlb structures., arek clearly disclosed in. the

applicaticnabove-referreditoanddo notper se enter intoA the` presentinvention, further description thereof herein. is considered unnecessary other thanto'state thatthe'drilling tools .may be adjusted'in horizontal-and'vertical directionsrelative to the platformf Ita. Slidably guided in guidewaysl 54: onI the. platform. l'in themanner shown in: Fig. 5 are vextensible platforms 55 which maybe extended'outwardlyv beneath the drill jibs in the manner show-n in Fig; 3, to'vprovid'esup'- ports on which' they drill operators may stand. Telescopic sidel frames.V EIS, 5l, attached to the outer-sides or the-sliding.platforms tiiand tothe platform ltserveto guidethe slidableplatforms and to provide'protective'siderails*for the platforms inthe mannershown.

Now= referring to the; hydraulic .Y fluid system shown in Fig. 10, it Willlbe noted-that thefpump Sdriven by the motor'xhas its intake-connected by a conduit `58 to atank 53 carriedby the'truck frame, and the discharge Aside ofthe-pump is connectedby a conduit @Dito the'pressure 'passage-of a valve boX'BI of aconventional slidevalve mechanism 62, also. mounted-.on the rear end ofthe truck frame. The discharge passage of the valve boX- isA connectedv by areturn'conduity 33- back to the tank. Leading from-the valvebox is al conduit 5-3 -connectedthrough branchconduits 65 and 655i: to the lowerfendsof the hydraulic jacks'BI. A conduit 8T is connected-througll branch conduits 88 and 59 to theV lower endfof'the'hydraulic jacks 38. Conventional hand operated'slide valves 'I0 and 7l, contained'in-the valvebox, are provided for controlling flow of liquid fromthe pressure passage of the valve boX- to'these: jacks,` and these valvesV may be positionedto connect theV jacks through the discharge passage of thevalve box back to` the tank. Thus thev upper and lower jacks may be operatedindependently or concurrently, as desired, and when the valvesv are -properly positioned, the liquidrmay be'trapp'ed in the jacks to lock the parts in adjusted position.

The rock drillingapparatusmay be'transported from place to-placein any.v suitable manner either by suitable towing means or by its own self-contained propelling means, asA desired. The truck wheels may be provided`V with suitable brakes, or suitable rail clamps maybe'.employed, so tha-t when thetworking plac'eisfrea'ched, the apparatus may be secured in aistationary'working position. In. Figs; I' and 2, the.' apparatus is shown indrillingpositionwith respectt'o a working face, withthe` parallel armsof the adjustable i supporting structure folded down; ont'o r the truck and" with the drill jibsin a horizontal position, thereby to sup-port' the drilling tools to drill holes above the door. When desired, eitheror both` of the drill jibs may be swung downwardly from the position `shown in Fig. 3 to locatethe drilling tools near the `floor. When drilling at a higher level isldesired, either of the pairs of jacks 3i or 38 "may be operated to swing either the lower arms il, l l, as shown in Fig. 8, or the upper arms i3, |3',`*as shown in Fig. 9, into an upright position. VrIf a still higher drilling position is desired,'both pairs of jack-s 3| and 3B may be concurrently operated to move both the upper and lower arms into the vertical position shown in Figs. 3 fand ll. Evidently, the pairs of parallel arms may be swung into any desired intermediate position between their lowered folded position shown-,in Fig.` 2 and their raised upright position shown'in Fig. 3 to locate the drill jibs in any desired intermediate position. When the arms are suitably adjusted, the liquid may be `trapped in the `jacksby the control valves to`locl z the parts in position, andy the .several bolts at the arm pivots may be tightened firmly to clamp the parts. It will `also :be evidentvthat during transport the drill jib may be swung over the truck frame so that `when the` sliding platforms 55 areslid inwardly beneath the ib-supporting platform iti, extreme longitudinal compactness attained,

thereby to facilitate movement of the apparatus o through relatively restricted spaces and around sharp curves'such` as are encountered inunderground mines or tunnels. i

In lieu of thetelescopic hydraulic jacks disclosed, it will be evident that other forms of extensible power `devices maybe employed to swing thearms, and;.under certain conditions, power l operated jaclts of the screw type `may be used. Also, instead of using separate hand pumps for the drill jibs 3, 3, liquid under pressure may be supplied thereto from the pump il.

As a result of this invention, an improved rock drilling apparatus lis provided which may be easily and quickly adjusted through a relatively wide range to enable drilling at diierent elevations. By the provision of the parallel arm or link supporting structure, the drill `supporting platform is always maintained in a substantially horizontal position irrespective of its elevation. By mounting a pair of adjustable drill mountings or jios of the character disclosed on the adjustable platform, the drilling tools may be adjusted through a relatively wide range both vertically and laterally in any position of adjustment of the platform. The particular arrangement of the adjustable supporting structure not only provides a relatively wide range of adjustment but also entreme compactness is attained during transport. Other advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there isin this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and the invention may be modied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.' 'j

What claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a drilling apparatus, -a portable base, a horizontal frame overlying said base, a drill mounting on said frame providing a support for a drilling tool, and an adjustable supporting structure mounted on said base and carrying said frame and adjustable to elevate said frame "from a position lying close to the top of said base to a position a substantial distance above said base, said supporting structure comprising a pair of parallel arms pivotally-connected` at'one` end to said base, an intermediate frame connecting the opposite ends of said arms for maintaining the same in parallelism, a second pair of lparallel arms pivotally connected at one end to said o-pposits ends of saidrstpair of arms, said second pair of arms pivotally connected at their opposite ends to said horizontal frame, an extensible power device connected between said base and said intermediate frame for swinging said first pair of arms about their pivots relative to `said base, and anextensible power device connected between said intermediate frame andsaid horizontal frame for swinging said second pair of arms `about their pivots relative to said rst pair of arms. v .i

'- 2. In a drilling apparatus, a portable base, a horizontalv frame overlying said base, a drill mounting on said frame providing a support for a drilling tool, and an adjustable supporting structure mounted on said base and carrying said trame and adjustable to elevate said frame from a position lying close to the top of said base to a position a substantial distance above said base, said supporting structure comprisingia pair of parallel supporting elements pivotally mounted at one end on said base, an intermediate frame connecting the opposite ends of said supporting elements for maintaining the same in parallelism, a second pair of parallel supporting elements pivotally connected at one end to said opposite ends of said nrst parallel supporting` elements, said second parallel supporting elements pivotally connected at their opposite ends to said horizontal frame, an extensible power device connected to certain of one pair.` of said parallel `sup-- porting elements for eiecting adjustment of the latter to raise said horizontal frame through a predetermined distance, anda cooperating extensible power device connected to certain of said f other pair of said parallel supporting elements for effecting adjustment of the latter to complete the elevation oi said horizontal iframe.`

3. Ina drilling apparatus, a portable base, a horizontal frame overlying said base, a drill mounting :on `said frame providing a support for a drilling tool," andan adjustable supporting structure mounted on said base and` carrying said frame for elevating the latter fromalowered position close to the top of said Abase to a raised position a substantial distance above said. base, said supporting structure including a lower pair of arms pivotally connectedat one end to said base on parallel transverse axes, an intermediate frame connecting the o-ppositeends of said parallel arms, a second upper pair of arms pivotally connected at one end to said opposite ends of said first .arms to swing about parallel `axes which are parallel to said iii-st mentioned axes, said upper pair of arms pivotally connected at i their opposite ends to said horizontal frame, and

said pairs of arms folding down close to the top vof said base when said horizontal frame is lowered and said pairs of arms disposed substantially vertical with said arms of one pairin substantial alignment with the arms of said other pair when said horizontal frame is elevated, and said intermediate frame lying between said horizontal frame and said base when said horizontal frame is in lowered position close to said base, and adjusting devices connected tosaid pairs of arms 7 respectively. forvswinging said arms about their pivots.'I

, 4; In'adrilling apparatus, a portable base, a horizontal frame overlying,` said base, a drill mounting on saidframeproviding a support for a drilling tool, andan adjustable supporting structure mounted on said baseand carrying said frame for elevating the latter from it-s lowered position; close to the top of said base to its raised position a substantial distance above said base, said vsupporting structure including a pair of parallel arms pivotally connected at one end to said base toswing about parallel transverse axes, an intermediate frame connecting the apposite ends of said arms, asec'ond pair of arms pivotally connected at one end to saidopposite ends of said first pair of arms to swing about parallel axes parallel to sai-d rst mentioned axes, said second pair of `arms pivotally connected at theil` opposite ends to said horizontal frame, said pairs of arms when said horizontal frame is lowered folding down close-to the base beneath said horizontal frame, a iiuid operated jack connected between said base 'and said intermediate frame `forswinging said rst pair-,of arms about their pivots, a fluid operatedjack connected between said intermediate frame and said horizontal frame for swinging said second pair of arms about their pivots, a pressure `fluid source on said base, and valve means for effecting fluid supply from said source to lsaid j-acks and for venting said jacks.

5; `In a drilling apparatus, av portable base, a drill mounting providing a supp-ort for a drilling tool, and an adjustable supporting structure mounted on said base and carrying said drill mounting 4for elevating the latter from a lowered position close to thetop of said base to a raised position a substantial distance above said base, said supporting structure comprising a swingable *arm structure pivotally connected to saidv base to swing. invertical planes, a second swingable arm structure'piv-otally connected to the` free end of said first arm structure, to swing in vertical planes, anv intermediate frame connecting the adjacent ends of said swingable farm structures, said'second swingable arm structure adjustable in elevation with said first arm structure, fluid operatedA devices connected to said arm structures and to said base and intermediate frame respectively for respectively swinging said arm structures about their respective pivots and acting-cumulatively to effect full adjustment of said supporting structure between its lowered and raised positions, a fluid source on said base, and valve meansfor controlling the uid supplyfrom said source to said devices respectively to effect operation of the latter as aforesaid.

6. In a drilling apparatus, a portable base, a drill mounting providing a support for a drilling tool, fand an adjustable supporting structure mounted onsaid base for elevating said drill mounting from a lowered position close to the to-p of saidV base to a raised position a substantial distance above said base, said supporting structure including pairs of coacting links pivotallyconnected together, an intermediate frame mounted at the points of connection of the adjacent ends of said coacting links, one pair of links pivotally mounted on said base and the other pair of links pivotally connected to said `drill mounting, said links arranged to foldtogether close to the base when said tool support is in lowered position, a power device connected to said one pair'of links and to said base for swinging said one pair of links relative to the base to effect adjustment in elevation of both pairs, a power device adjustable in elevation with said one pair of links and connected to said other pair of links and said intermediate frame forswnging said other pair of links relative thereto, and control means for effecting operation of said power devices whereby the latter effect' cumulatively the 4full adjustment of said supporting structure between its lowered and its raised positions.y

7. In a' drilling apparatus, a portable base, a support for a drilling tool, and an adjustable supporting structure mounted on said base and carrying said tool support and adjustable to' elevate said tool sup-port from a position lying close to the top of said base to a position a substantial distance above said base, said supporting'structure comprising a pair of parallel supporting ele ments pivotally mounted at one end on .said'base` to swing in vertical planes, an intermediateframe connecting opposite ends of'said supporting elements for maintaining the same in parallelism; a second pair of parallel supporting elements pivotally connected at one end to said opposite ends of said rst parallel supporting elements to swing in Vertical planes, said second parallel supporting elements pivotally connectedat their opposite ends to said tool support, said supporting elements arranged to fold'together close to the base when said tool support is in lowered position, an extensible power device connected to saidbase and said intermediate frame for' effecting adjustment of said iirst pair of said parallel supporting elements toV raisek said tool support through :a predetermined distance, and a cooperating extensible power device connected to said intermediate frame and said tool support for effecting adjustment of said second pair of parallel supporting elements to complete the elevatio-n of said tool support, and control means for said power devices whereby the latter cumulatively effect full adjustment of said supporting structure Ibetween its lowered and raised positions.

JOHN C. CURTIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of4 record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number NameY Date 920,135 I-Ifarrod May 4, 1909 1,112,543 Love Oct. 6, 1914 1,262,361 Laierty Apr. 9, 1918 1,543,765 Gilman June 30, 1925 2,348,899 Guignard et al May '16, 1944 2,379,137 Feucht June 26, 1945 2,396,365 Y Feucht Mar. 12, 1946 2,445,004 lReynolds et al July 13, 1948 2,468,378 Scofield Apr. 26, 1949 2,500,931 Curtis Mar. 21, 1950 

